A 78-year-old Ames woman was taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after police say she hit the wrong pedals while backing out of a parking spot in downtown Boone, sending her car across Story Street and into a building. The crash happened at about 4:15 p.m. in the 700 block of Story Street, according to police.
Becky Lou Irish had been diagonally parked on the east side of Story Street when the accident occurred, according to KWBG Radio, which reported the incident citing a Boone Police report. Police say Irish apparently hit the wrong pedals while backing out, causing her vehicle to cross the street and strike a parked car on the west side of Story Street.
Car Jumps Curb, Hits Building at 711 Story Street
The station's report indicates Irish's vehicle didn't stop after striking the parked car. It continued up onto the curb and struck the building at 711 Story Street, according to the same account.
Irish was taken by Boone County Ambulance to Boone County Hospital to be checked for possible injuries, per the report. She was cited for failing to maintain control following the crash.
Multiple Agencies Responded to the Scene
Boone Police were assisted at the scene by the Boone Fire Department, Fire and Rescue, and the Boone County Hospital Ambulance, the report notes. The response followed a crash involving a building strike and a possible injury.
Iowa law requires drivers to keep their vehicles under control at all times. Under Iowa Code section 321.288, “a person operating a motor vehicle shall have the vehicle under control at all times,” the standard that applies broadly to drivers statewide, including in situations involving pedal confusion while backing up.
